2000-CE

CHEM HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY

2 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION 2000

CHEMISTRY PAPER 2

10.45 am – 11.45 am (1 hour)

Subject Code 160

1. Read carefully the instructions on the Answer Sheet and insert the information
required (including the Subject Code) in the spaces provided.

2. When told to open this book, check that all the questions are there. Look for
the words ‘END OF PAPER’ after the last question.

3. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. All the answers should be marked on the

Answer Sheet.

4. Note that you may only mark ONE answer to each question. Two or more
answers will score NO MARKS.

5. All questions carry equal marks. No marks will be deducted for wrong
answers.

香 港 考 試 局 　 　 保 留 版 權
Hong Kong Examinations Authority
All Rights Reserved 2000

2000-CE-CHEM 2–1
There are 50 questions in this paper.

1. A compound formed from element X and sulphur has the following

electronic structure :

S X S

(Only electrons in the outermost shells are shown.)

How many electrons are there in the outermost shell of an atom of X ?

A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8

2. Caesium (Cs) is a Group I element in the Periodic Table and its relative
atomic mass is greater than that of potassium. Which of the following
statements concerning caesium is INCORRECT ?

A. Caesium is a weaker reducing agent than potassium.

B. Caesium reacts violently with water.
C. Caesium is a soft metal.
D. Caesium reacts with oxygen to form an oxide with
formula Cs2O.

3. Iron cans used for canning food are usually coated with tin instead of zinc.
This is because

A. tin is more reactive than zinc.

B. tin ions are non-toxic but zinc ions are toxic.
C. tin forms an alloy with iron and this alloy is corrosion
resistant.
D. tin prevents iron cans from rusting by sacrificial
protection.

2000-CE-CHEM 2−2 –1–

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
4. Metal X forms an oxide. 27.53 g of this oxide contains 24.96 g of X. What
is the mole ratio of X to oxygen in the oxide ?

(Relative atomic masses : O = 16.0, X = 207.0)

A. 1:1
B. 1:2
C. 2:3
D. 3:4

5. Which of the following gases are the major products liberated in the
electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride solution using carbon
electrodes ?

Cathode Anode

A. hydrogen chlorine
B. chlorine hydrogen
C. hydrogen oxygen
D. oxygen hydrogen

6. Which of the following pairs of compounds can be distinguished by treating

with an acidified potassium dichromate solution ?

A. ethane and ethene

B. ethanol and propan-1-ol
C. sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate
D. sodium sulphite and sodium sulphate

7. Element X occurs in nature as two isotopes, 63X and 65X. If the relative
atomic mass of X is 63.5, what is the relative abundance of the 63X isotope ?

A. 25%
B. 60%
C. 75%
D. 90%

2000-CE-CHEM 2–3 –2– Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
8. Which of the following statements concerning members of a homologous
series is INCORRECT ?

A. They contain carbon and hydrogen only.

B. They can be represented by the same general formula.
C. They have similar chemical properties.
D. Their boiling points increase with their relative molecular
masses.

9. The atomic number of element X is 12. X reacts with element Y to form

an ionic compound with formula XY2. To which group of the Periodic
Table does Y belong ?

A. Group I
B. Group IV
C. Group VI
D. Group VII

10. Manufacturing ammonia by the Haber process involves the reversible

reaction :

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

Which of the following statements concerning the process is

INCORRECT ?

A. The forward reaction can go to completion if iron powder

is used as a catalyst.
B. The optimum conditions for the process are 500°C and
200 atm.
C. The raw materials are derived from air and water.
D. The forward reaction and backward reaction occur
simultaneously.

2000-CE-CHEM 2−4 –3–

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
11. Different volumes of 2.0 M potassium hydroxide solution and 2.0 M
sulphuric acid are mixed in a polystyrene cup. In which of the following
combinations would the temperature rise be the greatest ?

Volume of 2.0 M KOH(aq)/cm 3 Volume of 2.0 M H 2 SO 4 (aq)/cm 3

A. 20.0 40.0
B. 30.0 30.0
C. 40.0 20.0
D. 45.0 15.0

12. Which of the following natural substances is essentially a single

compound ?

A. air
B. coal
C. petroleum
D. quartz

13. Consider the compounds represented by the two structures below :

O H H H H O
H C O C C H and H C C C O H
H H H H

Which of the following statements concerning these compounds is correct ?

A. Both compounds can turn wet blue litmus paper red.

B. Both compounds have the same odour.
C. Both compounds have the same molecular formula.
D. Both compounds have the same boiling point.

2000-CE-CHEM 2−5 –4– Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
14. Which of the following solutions can react with bromine water to give a
colourless solution ?

A. sodium chloride solution

B. sodium sulphite solution
C. sodium iodide solution
D. sodium hypochlorite solution

15. A polymer has the following structure :

CH3 CH3

C C
n
H H

What is the monomer of this polymer ?

A. butane
B. but-1-ene
C. but-2-ene
D. 2-methylpropene

16. Consider the following equation :

3Zn(s) + 2NO3–(aq) + 8H+(aq) → 3Zn2+(x) + 2NO(y) + 4H2O(z)

Which of the following combinations is correct ?

x y z
A. aq g aq
B. aq g "
C. aq aq "
D. " g aq

17. The melting point and boiling point of substance X are 321°C and 765°C
respectively. In its molten state, X conducts electricity without
decomposition. X probably has

A. an ionic structure.
B. a metallic structure.
C. a simple molecular structure.
D. a covalent network structure.

2000-CE-CHEM 2−6 –5–

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
18. Some potassium carbonate solution is added to a sample of tap water. The
mixture then appears cloudy. Which of the following ions is probably
present in the sample ?

A. NH4+
B. Mg2+
C. Br–
D. SO42–

19. Gold ornaments are usually made from an alloy of gold and copper instead
of pure gold. This is because the alloy

A. can be found free in nature.

B. is more corrosion resistant than pure gold.
C. is denser than pure gold.
D. is stronger than pure gold.

20. A sample of concentrated sulphuric acid has a density of 1.83 g cm–3 and
contains 94.0% of sulphuric acid by mass. What is the concentration
(correct to one decimal place) of sulphuric acid in the sample ?

(Relative atomic masses : H = 1.0, O = 16.0, S = 32.1)

A. 17.5 M
B. 18.3 M
C. 18.7 M
D. 19.8 M

21. Which of the following processes requires a catalyst ?

A. preparation of ethyl ethanoate from ethanoic acid and

ethanol
B. conversion of sulphur trioxide to concentrated sulphuric
acid
C. manufacture of chlorine bleach from brine
D. reduction of iron(III) oxide to iron

2000-CE-CHEM 2−7 –6– Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
22. A white solid dissolves in water to give an alkaline solution. The solution
reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to give a gas. The solid is probably

A. calcium oxide.
B. calcium carbonate.
C. potassium hydroxide.
D. potassium carbonate.

23. In an experiment, 21.8 g of zinc was treated with 250.0 cm3 o f 2.0 M
hydrochloric acid. What volume of hydrogen was liberated at room
temperature and pressure ?

(Relative atomic mass : Zn = 65.4;

molar volume of gas at room temperature and pressure = 24.0 dm3 )

A. 4.0 dm3
B. 6.0 dm3
C. 8.0 dm3
D. 12.0 d m3

24. Which of the following compounds is insoluble in water ?

A. methanol
B. methanoic acid
C. methyl methanoate
D. sodium methanoate

(This item was deleted.)

25. Which of the following processes is endothermic ?

A. cracking of petroleum fractions

B. fermentation of glucose solution
C. manufacture of ammonia by the Haber process
D. oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide in the
contact process

2000-CE-CHEM 2−8 –7–

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
26. Which of the following combinations is correct ?

Type of fire Type of fire extinguisher to use

A. electrical fire water

B. electrical fire foam
C. kerosene fire water
D. kerosene fire foam

27. Which of the following changes occurs in a catalytic converter installed in a

motor car ?

A. Nitrogen monoxide changes to nitrogen dioxide.

B. Carbon monoxide changes to carbon dioxide.
C. Unburnt hydrocarbons change to carbon particles.
D. Sulphur changes to sulphur dioxide.

28. Which of the following changes is NOT a redox reaction ?

A. Fe2(SO4)3 + H2S → 2FeSO4 + S + H2SO4

B. 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + 3H2
C. CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O → Ca(HCO3)2
D. 2KClO3 → 2KCl + 3O2

29. Which of the following compounds would react with ammonium chloride
on heating ?

A. concentrated nitric acid

B. concentrated hydrochloric acid
C. sodium hydroxide solution
D. magnesium sulphate solution

2000-CE-CHEM 2−9 –8– Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
30. In which of the following substances does nitrogen has the smallest
oxidation number ?

A. NH3
B. NO
C. N2O
D. N2

31. Which of the following uses of sulphuric acid is/are correct ?

(1) manufacture of soaps

(2) manufacture of paint additives
(3) manufacture of fertilizers

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

32. Which of the following articles should be made from thermosetting

plastics ?

(1) wall paper

(2) television casing
(3) water bucket

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

33. In an experiment, a piece of calcium metal was added to a beaker of water.

Which of the following statements concerning the experiment is/are
correct ?

(1) The calcium metal sank to the bottom of the beaker.

(2) The calcium metal burnt with a brick red flame.
(3) At the end of the experiment, an alkaline solution was formed in
the beaker.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

2000-CE-CHEM 2−10 –9–

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
34. Which of the following statements concerning helium is/are correct ?

(1) The outermost electron shell of a helium atom has an octet

structure.
(2) Helium is used to fill weather balloons.
(3) Helium exists as monatomic molecules.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

35. Consider the chemical cell shown below :

salt bridge
magnesium copper

1M magnesium
sulphate solution 1M copper(II)
sulphate solution
Beaker X Beaker Y

Which of the following statements concerning the cell is/are correct ?

(1) Oxidation takes place at the copper electrode.

(2) The concentration of magnesium ions in beaker X increases.
(3) The salt bridge allows electrons to flow from one electrode to the
other electrode.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

2000-CE-CHEM 2−11 – 10 – Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
36. Which of the following polymers is/are made by condensation
polymerization ?

O O H H
(1) C (CH2)4 C N (CH2)6 N
n
O

C OCH3

(2) CH2 C
n
CH3

F F
(3) C C
n
F F

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

37. Which of the following statements concerning drugs is/are correct ?

(1) Morphine is an effective painkiller.

(2) Acetaminophen (paracetamol) can damage the stomach lining.
(3) A suspension of milk of magnesia in water has a pH greater than 7.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

2000-CE-CHEM 2−12 – 11 –
保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
38.

sink

catchpot

Some concentrated sulphuric acid was poured into a sink connected to a

catchpot made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). After some time, the catchpot
became deformed. Which of the following explanations for the
deformation of the catchpot is/are correct ?

(1) The heat liberated when the concentrated sulphuric acid mixed with
the water in the catchpot caused PVC to soften.
(2) PVC was decomposed into its monomers by the concentrated
sulphuric acid.
(3) PVC was oxidized by the concentrated sulphuric acid.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

2000-CE-CHEM 2−13 – 12 – Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
39. X is an element in Group VI of the Periodic Table. X can form X2– ions.
Which of the following statements are correct ?

(1) The oxidation number of X decreases when X2– ion is formed.

(2) Both X atom and X2– ion have the same number of electron shells.
(3) Both X atom and X2– ion have the same nuclear charge.

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

40. Which of the following measures can reduce the emission of pollutants from
a coal-fired power station ?

(1) installation of scrubbers

(2) installation of electrostatic precipitators
(3) increasing the height of the chimney

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

41. Which of the following statements concerning soaps are correct ?

(1) They are esters.

(2) They can reduce the surface tension of water.
(3) Their aqueous solutions are alkaline.

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

2000-CE-CHEM 2−14 – 13 –
保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
42. Which of the following statements concerning carbon, silicon and
phosphorus are correct ?

(1) Carbon forms numerous compounds with hydrogen and oxygen.

(2) Silicon is used to make computer chips.
(3) Phosphorus is an essential element for plant growth.

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

43. Which of the following statements concerning a zinc-carbon cell are correct ?

(1) The ammonium chloride in the cell acts as an electrolyte.

(2) The manganese(IV) oxide in the cell acts as an oxidizing agent.
(3) The zinc case of the cell acts as the positive terminal.

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

44. Which of the following statements concerning sulphur dioxide are correct ?

(1) It can be prepared by heating copper turnings with concentrated

sulphuric acid.
(2) It is denser than air.
(3) It can be absorbed by sodium hydroxide solution.

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

2000-CE-CHEM 2−15 – 14 – Go on to the next page

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
Directions : Each question below (Question Nos. 45 to 50) consists of two
separate statements. Decide whether each of the two statements is
true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not the second
statement is a correct explanation of the first statement. Then select
one option from A to D according to the following table :

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
B. Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of
the 1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

1st statement 2nd statement

45. Concentrated sulphuric acid can Concentrated sulphuric acid is a

turn a piece of filter paper black. strong oxidizing agent.

46. Carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide The atoms of carbon and silicon
have similar physical properties. have the same number of electrons
in their outermost shells.

47. Chlorine is a better bleaching agent Chlorine bleaches by reduction.

for silk than sulphur dioxide.

48. The volume of 10.0 g of gaseous 10.0 g of gaseous carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide is the same as the contains the same number of
volume of 10.0 g of solid carbon molecules as 10.0 g of solid carbon
dioxide. dioxide.

49. Adding lime to acidic soil can Lime can neutralize the acid in the
increase crop yield. soil.

50. Aluminium was used earlier than Aluminium is more abundant than
iron in the history of mankind. iron in the earth crust.

END OF PAPER

2000-CE-CHEM 2−16 – 15 –
保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000
 2000 Chemistry Paper 2

Question No. Key Question No. Key

1. B 26. D
2. A 27. B
3. B 28. C
4. D 29. C
5. A 30. A

6. D 31. D
7. C 32. B
8. A 33. C
9. D 34. D
10. A 35. B

11. C 36. A
12. D 37. C
13. C 38. A
14. B 39. D
15. C 40. A

16. B 41. C
17. B 42. D
18. B 43. A
19. D 44. D
20. A 45. B

21. A 46. C
22. D 47. D
23. B 48. C
24.

 49. A
25. A 50. C

保留版權 All Rights Reserved 2000